Rugby player funeral takes place

Mr Johnson's family had requested no black ties at the funeral

The funeral of a Tynedale rugby player who was paralysed during a game four years ago has taken place.

Ali Johnson from Haltwhistle, in Northumberland, was injured when a scrum collapsed on him in 2004.

The accident left him with a dislocated vertebra and damaged spinal cord. He died, aged 28, on 1 December after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

The funeral service on Monday was at Haltwhistle Methodist Church, followed by a cremation.

The family had requested no black ties, family flowers only, and donations if desired to the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

Speaking after his death Mr Johnson's father, Ken, said: "Since his accident, it's been four years of incredible highs and lows.

"We are very proud of him and of the way he dealt with what was a catastrophic injury.

"He always tried to make the best of things."

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